Pedestranization as a new approach for the renewal of urban centers A case study of Tarbiat pedestrian way of Tabriz

نویسندگان [English]

R. Ghorbani؛ M. Jame Kasra

چکیده [English]

Â Pedestranization as a new approach for the renewal of urban centers Â A case study of Tarbiat pedestrian way of Tabriz Â Â R. Ghorbani * Â Associate Professor of Geography and Urban Planning, Univercity of Tabriz, Iran Â M. Jame Kasra Â M.A of Geography and Urban Planning, Univercity of Tabriz, Iran Â Â 1- Introduction Â Nowadays the renewal of central textures of the cities and their sustainable development has been a very important issue in urban planning. Among the approaches that have been presented for the favorable city for citizens in unsuitable conditions of the modern urban planning, the pedestrianization movement can be mentioned on the scope of the urban planning of the world. In this regard, by applying descriptive-inductive method through field works and studies in relation to the pedestrian axis of Tarbiat Street this paper has been written aiming at studying and more recognition of the spatio-temporal sources of the creation and dynamism of pedestrian axis as the yardstick of the physical and social interaction of the cities. The main aim is systematizing and re-arrangement of old urban centers. Results of this study indicate that the re-arrangement of this axis in the central texture of the city has made it in accordance and harmony with the pedestrianization policies, in such a way that after its implementation, the trading places and the related uses have been grown and with this trend, Tarbiat pedestrian way has shown a good standard for future in trading, business and recreational aspects and has provided a ground for improving the social life and promotion of city spaces in old textures. Â Â 2- Theoretical Bases Â Before the industrial revolution, the size and proportions of main elements t forming the cities followed from human scale and the most of urban trips implemented by walking.But after expanding of industrial revolution and its results, motor vehicle uses increased and with development of urban planning in the base of modernism paradigm, the use of automobile in urban trips replaced the pedestrian, general use of automobile decreased the function of pedestrian way spaces in urban transportation and caused the shortage of transport spaces and restricted the presences of residents in urban spaces. Also, it increased fuel use, air pollutions and urban expenditures. Â The consequences of modernism such as auto cities have faced with many critiques by urban planner and policy makers. These problems created new approaches in urban planning such as pedestrianization movement for reconstruction and rearrangement of urban spaces with emphasis on footpath development Â In spite of the development of pedestrianization movement in the world, in Iran this is still a new issue and planning for automobile is a priority to planning for human. So, planning and designing the pedestrian way is an important and effective action in renewal of old textures. Â Â Â 3- Discussion Â Pedestrian ways have high social functions and could increase the viability and presence of urban residences in central areas of cities. In these spaces the vehicles traffic has omitted and motor vehicles are only used for basic life services. They are highly important in improvement of social relations and quality of urban spaces and finally increasing urban life quality. In recent years, very important attempts have implemented for reconstruction of central districts and old texture of Iranian cities and Tabriz city has one of pioneers in this movement. Some pedestrian ways have constructed in Tabriz on the old and new urban textures in recent years but the pedestrian way of Tarbiat in historical area of city has special characteristics in them. Â Existence of historical attractions and old buildings, variety of commercial units, social activities and being located between two main urban space of Tabriz (municipality building and old bazaar) has made it an active lively pedestrian way in central district of Tabriz. Also, some other factors have affected the success of this pedestrian way such as suitability for walking, mix uses, medium density of people and buildings, beautiful views in curve form. These factors have increased the attractions of this urban space. Â Â Â 4- Conclusion Â Urban central area and its old textures have been very important part of big and historical cities and renewal of these parts of cities may have important role in redistribution of people and activities on city areas. The pedestrian way construction in old texture of cities is one of the policies in renewal of them and the experience of Tarbiat pedestrian way shows its successful results of Tabriz. Â Changing of Tarbiat Street to pedestrian way has increased economic and geographical movement in this area. It has also attracted different social groups to this space for variety objectives. It is very promising in developing commercial and recreational locations and attracting different groups of residences. And consequently, in improvement of life quality in old urban texture of Tabriz. Â Â Â 5- Suggestions Â The efficiency of a pedestrian way depends on different conditions which are not fixed and be modeled in different cities. Global experiences show that the success of any urban space planning followed from different considerations such as the physical factors,climate,social and cultural conditions as well as behavioral and psychological patters of people. Thus, we need a comprehensive view of pedestrian principles such as shortening and localization of trips, various and good pavement, continuality of way, security and amenity, suitable views, good equipment and finally providing grounds for social relationships in order to apply this approach in urban old textures renewal. Â Â